IPL treatment while getting chemotherapy, is it safe to do?

Question

I was diagnosed with a brain tumor this year. Resection was done in march on frontal lobe. Had radiation for 6 weeks done in June I am still going thru chemo 5/23 Temodar. Is it safe to do IPL now. I got many treatments in the past 4 years. Always good results. I want treatment on my face. Thanks

Jennifer Greer, MD · Answer

IPL is a low risk procedure, but still can cause blistering and burning. While you are on chemotherapy you are at increased risk of infections, increased risk of bruising, and you will likely heal more slowly. For these reasons I recommend holding off on any IPL procedures until at least 1 month after you have finished chemotherapy.Best of luck to you!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

As long as you are medically cleared by your oncologist, you should be able to have IPL. Keep in mind, it can take a series of treatments to get improvement with IPL. I always add microneedling/prp to improve outcomes. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Summit Kundaria, MD · Answer

Hotaspid,Thanks for the question.  There are no medical studies that have tested IPL in patients with the background you have, so nobody will be able to tell you for certain about the risks of IPL while getting chemo.  I would point out that you also had radiation, which can have lasting effects on any tissues that were exposed to it.  Radiation is a treatment that just starts a process that continues for decades.  I consider any minor procedure on a patient that has had radiation to be a "major" procedure, and one where I really question the necessity of doing it.  I wish you the best on your journey of kicking cancer's ass.

IPL treatment while getting chemotherapy, is it safe to do?

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IPL treatment while getting chemotherapy, is it safe to do?

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